Science Musings Blog

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

If I Ran the Circus (with apologies to Dr. Seuss)

"In all the whole town, the most wonderful spotIs behind Sneelock's Store in the big vacant lot.It's just the right spot for my wonderful plans,"said young Morris McGurk, "if I clean up the cans.I will put up the tent for my fantastic circus.I think I will call it the Circus McGurkus.I'll hoist up the curtains! The crowds will crowd in!And my Circus McGurkus will promptly begin.

Here, in Ring One, in its own little bottle,the free-swimming, sweet-grinning pink Axolotl,with a hairdo to die for and smiley-face eyes,an amphibian Mexico-City surprise.It lives in the sewers, no creature is cuter,if you happen to see one don't call Roto-Rooter.

From far Madagascar, the pride of Ring Two,the nocturnal Aye-Aye -- related to you.No kidding! A primate, in our family tree,a sight for sore eye-eyes if ever there be,with ears that are bigger than its sweet little butt,and a long middle finger to show you what's what.

And now! in Ring Three! the star of our shows,A burrowing beast with a fantabulous nose.The Star-nose Mole, with a sniffer defying convention,An olfaction contraption of ingenious invention.A colossus proboscis. Its tentacles squirmas our stout-hearted Ringmaster feeds it a worm.

Back to Ring One! our aquatic container --the Leafy Sea Dragon -- no animal stranger than this weedy seahorse in algal disguise,you'd not recognize him if it weren't for his eyes.A master of camouflage, you won't hear him yelpfor your help if he's draggin' his sea-dragon kelp.

And last, but not least, in the Big Center Ring!from the benthic Pacific a stupendulous thing.Kiwa hirsuta, a hirsute crustacean,a knockdown example of special creation.What wonderful whimsy! Designer tomfoolery!A blind-as-a-bat crab, all white and woollery.

The Circus McGurkus -- the best circus you'll find!My headlining showstoppers will boggle your mind.Nature is full of zooific surprises.You'd never see half if you had forty eyeses!"